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Clay-Sawdust Ceramic Pot Filter (Potters for Peace Design)

Ceramic Filtration • Est. CapEx: $8 USD • Lifespan: 10 Years (Standardized)


Technical Overview

A porous ceramic water filter made from a mixture of clay and sawdust (or other combustible material) fired to create microscopic pores that trap pathogens and sediment. It is a low-cost, field-tested solution for household water treatment in developing regions, with open-source manufacturing guides available.


Key Specifications & Engineering Parameters

Parameter Specification
Category Ceramic Filtration
Capital Cost (CapEx) $8 USD
Power / Energy 100% Gravity / Zero Power
Target Scale Household (5–10 people)
Standard Lifespan 10 Years (Standardized)
Technology Maturity Field Tested
Primary Mechanism Water flows through the ceramic pot by gravity. Physical filtration occurs when pores (0.6-3.0 µm) trap bacteria and protozoa. Colloidal silver coating provides additional antimicrobial action by disrupting pathogen cell membranes. Adsorption on clay surfaces also helps remove some contaminants.

Engineering Trade-Offs

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Cross-Reference & Interactive Tools

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